Deli sandwich/composite storage bag

ABSTRACT

A package with a flexible first and second opposing walls and a reclosable opening with interlocking and cooperative male and female elements where the walls are directly interconnected by binding zones and define between them a plurality of compartments (units/bags) separated by such binding zones that can be individually detached. 
     Each detachable compartment (unit/bag) has external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of the walls and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said elements with said bag being opened by drawing said elements apart and being closed by pressing said elements together; 
     The detachable recloseable (unit/bag) can contain ingredients for the preparation of or addition to, a drink or food. At least some of the compartments contain different ingredients, and at least one or all of them may freezable and microwave safe for cooling and heating. Additionally the compartment package (unit/bag) can be used for storage.

Plastic film, composite package with a flexible first and secondopposing walls and a recloseable opening therein, with interlocking andcooperative male and female elements where the walls are directlyinterconnected by binding zones and define between them a plurality ofcompartments (units/bags) separated by such binding zones that can beindividually detached. Within the structure of each detachablecompartment (unit/bag) formed of a resilient material integrally at theinner surface of said walls about the opening of said bag, said maleelement being formed at said first wall and having locking surfacesthereon and said female element being formed at said second wall andhaving locking surfaces leading from an outer mouth portion thereof forengaging said male element locking surfaces and closing said bagthereby; and external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of saidwalls and extending outwardly of said elements and adapted to be grippedand drawn apart to separate said elements with said bag being opened bydrawing said elements apart and being closed by pressing said elementstogether;

This invention relates to a composite package with detachablecompartments (units/bags) that are recloseable for holding ingredientsused in the preparation of, or addition to, a drink or food, or storage.Many of such packages have been proposed in the past, for example, forsugar, coffee extract, salt pepper and mustard, which are supplied alongwith drinks or food.

In many cases, a plurality of such ingredients is necessary for thepreparation of, or addition to, a drink or food, including sometimesheat-safe, microwave-safe, or freezer-safe compartments (unit/bags)which may be required for a mixture of the additive such as cheese,sauces and meats, or in the case of the freezing component, a liquidsuch as water that is suitable for freezing in a consumer refrigerator.

On occasion several individual packages are packed in an additionalwrapper or container, but more often than not, all of the ingredients,dry and wet, are packaged as a prepared meal. When dry and wetingredients are mixed together and held for several hours, an examplebeing peanut butter and jelly on bread, the resulting mixture can becomesoggy, wet, and unpalatable.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify and facilitate thesupply and preservation of such ingredients in the cases referred to.

According to the present invention, there is provided a compositepackage with a plurality of detachable compartments (units/bags) to holdingredients for the preparation of, or addition to a drink or food, orstorage with each detachable compartment (bag/unit) comprising a plasticfilm package with a flexible first and second opposing walls and arecloseable opening. The compartments (units/bags) are directlyinterconnected by binding zones to form a single composite package,characterized in that said substantially plastic film (flat walls)define between them a plurality of compartments (unit/bags) at leastsome of which may be of different sizes and contain differentingredients, said compartments (unit/bags) being separated from eachother by said binding zones with weakened score or tear lines, and atleast one of said compartments (unit/bags) may be constructed forcooling or freezing ingredients, made heat or microwave safe, or othermeans of cooling and heating the ingredients contained therein.

At least one of said compartments (unit/bags) may be constructed forfreezing liquids for the purpose of preserving perishables duringtransport.

A longitudinal edge with weakened score or tear lines adjoiningco-extensive edges of at least one other compartment (unit/bag) that candetach the upper compartment(s) (units/bags) from the lower compartments(units/bags) and in the case of two or more co-extensive edges,perpendicular tear lines that are tangent and or that intersect thelongitudinal edge that can be detached from the longitudinal andperpendicular edges.

There may thus be formed a plurality of side-by-side compartments(units/bags) according to the combination of ingredients that isrequired in each individual case, for example, a compartment (unit/bag)containing bread and one containing lettuce. Another compartment(unit/bag) might contain a pickle. Other compartment (unit/bag) may havemustard, another may have ketchup, and one or more compartments(units/bags) may be heat proof/microwavable for meats, water and foodfreezable or other combinations. In addition the plurality ofside-by-side compartments (units/bags) may contain a combination ofstored items, related or otherwise.

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, all of thecompartments (units/bags) have an opening in one wall for allowing thepassage of material, food, dry and wet ingredients, and liquids into andout of said compartments (units/bags).

Thus, for example, the package according to this invention may comprisea mustard compartment (unit/bag) side by side with a bread and ketchupcompartment (unit/bag), in combination with other compartments(units/bags) for housing condiments. For example, the ingredients for adeli sandwich can be prepared ahead of time with the wet and dryingredients segregated into individual compartments (unit/bags)connected together in a single composite package by binding zones withweakened score/tear lines, but that are individually detachable asneeded for final preparation. The ingredients within the individualcompartments (unit bags) can be removed or left with the bag for finalpreparation such as heating, spreading, freezing, etc. So that with thesingle composite package the consumer has all the ingredients requiredto make the portion bought ready for consumption. Because theingredients are brought together at the time of consumption, thesandwich in the above example is as fresh as the moment it is made. Inthis example the bread is dry; the lettuce is crisp, and the pickle iscrunchy.

Preferably, weakened score lines or tear lines are formed in, or atleast adjacent to, the binding zones between the compartments(units/bags). This renders it possible for the consumer to separate theindividual compartments (units/bags) from the composite package, whichfacilitates the handling of the individual compartments (unit/bags) andtheir respective ingredients. It also makes it possible for theconsumer, in certain cases, to reduce the composite package by removingunused compartments (units/bags). Because each detached compartment(unit/bag) is a complete package onto itself with all described featuresit can be used for other purposes where there is need for a recloseablecontainer with the said attributes.

Conveniently, a detachable recloseable package according to thisinvention in which one or more detached compartments (units/bags) may bemade freezer, microwave, and heat proof is of benefit to the consumerwho wants to heat or cool the ingredients held within a compartment(unit/bag) section of his meal while allowing the remainder of hisingredients, held within other compartments (unit/bags), to remainunaffected by the heating or cooling process of another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Figure one is a composite package in pictorial with package with aplurality of six (6) detachable containers

DETAIL DISCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a package containing six (6)detachable recloseable containers for ingredients, generally designatedby reference numeral 1, which comprises a pair of sheet-like, plane,substantially flat walls 2 and 3 that are connected by binding zones 4,5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 to form a plurality of compartments (unit/bags), 19,20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. In the drawing the two walls are pulled apart ineach compartment (unit/bag) to show front and rear walls 2 and 3.

The two walls 2 and 3 are locally directly and intimatelyinterconnected, for example, by heat-sealing, if the material of thewalls is suitable therefore, to form binding zones. Binding zone 4,located along two peripheral edges in this embodiment, may connect toother composite packages with similar configurations but not necessarilyidentical.

Further binding zones using the same sealing process as mention forbinding zone 4 are shown at 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Binding zone 5 and 6separates two smaller compartments (units/bags), 19, and 21 from alarger center compartment (unit/bag), 20 along two peripheral edges.Binding zones 7 separate the upper compartments (unit/bags), 19, 20, and21 from the lower compartments (units/bags), 22, 23, and 24 along theirrespective peripheral edge. Binding zone 7 is tangent to binding zone 4,5, 6, 8, and 9. Binding zone 8 and 9 separates two larger compartments(units/bags) 22 and 24 from a smaller center compartment (unit/bag), 23as viewed in the drawing.

Below the peripheral top edge of the upper detachable compartments(units/bags) 19, 20, and 21 is a recloseable element shown as 10. On thedrawing the recloseable elements are pulled apart to show the connectionto walls 2 and 3. These recloseable elements when pushed together form aclosure for each detachable container.

Above the lower deferral edge of the lower detachable compartments(units/bags), 22, 23, and 24 is a recloseable element shown aslo. On thedrawing the recloseable elements are pulled apart to show the connectionto walls 2 and 3. These recloseable elements when pushed together form aclosure for each detachable container.

For each detachable compartment (unit/bag) there is an external flangesformed on the exposed edge of walls 2 and 3 shown as 11 that is adaptedto be gripped and drawn apart to separate walls 2 and 3, therebyseparating the recloseable elements 10.

Weakened score lines or tear lines 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 areformed to extend, respectively, along the center edge of binding zone 4,5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Along these weakened score lines or tear lines the portions of thepackage containing the respective compartments (units/bags) 19, 20, 21,22, 23, and 24 can easily be separated from each other.

The composite package can be produced without binding zone 4 which isthe binding zone that connects to other composite packages. Removingbinding zone 4 creates a stand alone, single composite packagecontaining a plurality of compartments (units/bags).

Before and after the compartments (units/bags) have been separated, theindividual compartments (units/bags) can function as a self-containedunit having all of the stated attributes.

In the present case, compartments (units/bags) 19 and 21 arecontemplated to be filled with mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaiserespectively, for being supplied as condiments for the food enclosed inother compartments (units/bags) attached to the composite package. Thecompartment (units/bags) 19, 20, and 21; in this example; have measuredfill-lines 27 to control the maximum amount of liquid, wet, and dryingredients that can be contained therein for storage, freezing, andheating. In the case of freezing and storage, the fill-lines are someasured as to prevent expansion beyond the capacity of the compartments(unit/bags) thus allowing the ingredients to occupy a greater volumeupon expansion without rupture of the container (unit/bag) or it'sclosure element, thereby keeping the ingredients secured within thewalls 2 and 3 of said compartments (units/bags).

Naturally numerous variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention is regards to the composition and diversity ofthe individual ingredients, in the shape, size, and direction of thebinding zones, and fill lines; and in regards to the shape anddimensions of the composite unit package and the compartments(units/bags), may be accommodated in the composite package according tothe invention. The invention can be attached, by binding zone 4, to oneor more like component packages with or without a plurality ofdetachable compartments (unit/bags), but it is not limited to suchattachments, and formed into a continuous roll of predetermined length,or it may be formed into a single component package with a plurality ofdetachable bags. The single component bag may or may not have bindingzone 4 on the peripheral edges as indicated in the drawing, depending ofhow the component package will be produced. If the composite package isproduced without binding zone 4, the composite package is sealed alongsaid peripheral edge 25 and 26 to connect and close flat walls 2 and 3along said edge.

Also, the invention is not intended to be limited to any particularmaterial to be used for the component package or its detachablecomponents (units/bags). A great variety of commercially available,well-known sheet materials are suitable for making packages according tothis invention.

1. In a recloseable, flexible container of the type comprising: (a) aplastic film or similar material (b) Interlocking and cooperative maleand female elements or press-seal type surfaces formed of a resilientmaterial integrally at the inner surface of said walls about the openingof said compartment (unit/bags), said male element being formed at saidfirst wall and having locking surfaces or press-seal type surfacesthereon and said female element or press-seal type surface being formedat said second wall and having locking surfaces or press-seal typesurface leading from an outer mouth portion thereof for engaging saidmale element locking surfaces or press-seal type surfaces and closingsaid compartment (unit/bags); and (c) external flanges formed on theupper exposed edges of said walls and extending outwardly of saidelements and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate saidelements with said bag being opened by drawing said elements apart andbeing closed by pressing said elements together; the improvementcomprising:
 2. In a recloseable container as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid first wall element is attached to the second wall element form ofmaterial of which said first wall may or may not be made, and said firstand second wall is adjoined by a structure (binding zone) that separatessaid first wall and said second wall into a plurality of recloseablecompartment (unit/bags) thereby, forming for each compartment (unit/bag)a secured innermost and outermost edge. The separating structure(binding zone) comprises a perforated, scored, or plain seam elementformed of the same or different material of which said first and secondwall is made.
 3. In a recloseable container as claimed in claim 2wherein said separating structure (binding zone) elements is fixed tofirst and second wall inner surfaces
 4. In a recloseable container asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone)element forms an inner seam for each recloseable compartment (unit bags)and an outer seam that may or may not be detachable that is adjoined tothe outer seam of the adjoining recloseable container.
 5. In arecloseable compartment (unit/bags) as claimed in claim 2 wherein in atleast one of the said recloseable compartment (unit/bags) first andsecond wall can be made of microwavable plastic film or other suitablemicrowavable materials.
 6. In a recloseable compartment (unit/bag) asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the outermost edges of both surfaces of saidfirst wall is integrally formed with the inner surface of said secondwall and the innermost edges of both surfaces are integrally formed withsaid separating structure (binding zone) and the recloseable mouth ineach recloseable compartment (unit/bags) operates independent of theothers.
 10. In a recloseable compartment (unit/bags) as claimed in claim2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) element is formedintegrally with said first wall and said second wall.
 11. A compartment(unit/bags) comprising two flexible sidewalls and an interlockingclosure device or press-seal material formed of resilient plastic orother suitable material and including male and female closure profilesoperable for being interlocked continuously over a predetermined lengthand connected to said sidewalls, external flanges formed on the upperexposed edges of said sidewalls and extending outwardly of said profilesand adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said profiles withsaid compartment (unit/bags) being opened by drawing said profiles apartand being closed by pressing said profiles together.
 12. First wallstructure formed integrally with said second wall of said bags adjacentsaid female element, a ramp structures extending laterally from oppositesides of the outer mouth portion of said female element to the innersurface of said second wall and providing planar surfaces on both sidesof said female element upon which the leading part of said male elementcan slide towards and so as to locate at least a portion thereof over aportion of the mouth of said female element to be interlocked therewithenabling subsequent interlocking of the remaining portions of saidelements by continuous pressure applied thereto to close saidcompartment (unit/bags).
 13. A container as claimed in claim 11 whereinsaid closure profiles and structures are formed of the same resilientplastic material or other suitable materials of which said sidewalls areformed.
 14. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separatingstructure (binding zone) is perforated or scored.
 15. A container asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) isnot perforated or scored.